20 Quick & Easy Updos For Your Craziest Mornings

My hair is about halfway between shoulder-length and long, and it hangs pretty straight with a bit of wave unless I put a lot of effort into more of a “style.” Left to its own devices, it’s basically Boring Mom Hair. But let’s be honest, with one busy toddler and another baby on the way, I don’t exactly have heaps of time to style it. In fact, most days I’m lucky if I even get to wash it! And our mornings fall under the category of “frantic” (I’m sure you can relate).

As a mom, I rely on lipstick, coffee, and bobby pins to pull things together. I might be elbow-deep in spilled bubble solution, dirty diapers, or dishes, but I need to look (and feel) like a human whenever possible. Enter my favorite trick: the easy updo! Any hairstyle that takes just minutes and can be performed on dirty or fresh-from-the-shower tresses? Sign me up. Here are my favorites.

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Easy Updos for Frantic Mornings

The Boho Bun Updo

This bun is just polished enough to take you from the supermarket to girls’ night but it has a soft, bohemian undone-ness to it that I just love. You can’t go wrong with this super-simple style.

Full tutorial/photo: YouTube
The Double-Bun Twist Updo

Cutesy buns are a fun update to your daily look. These twisted mini chignons are ridiculously easy to form and with a bit of teasing and pins, will look fresh and fun all day long.

Full tutorial/photo: YouTube
The Elegant Side Bun Updo

This look is a great choice for an intro updo on anyone more accustomed to wearing her hair down. Plus, the tutorial demonstrates two options; one sleek and refined and the other loose and tousled.

Full tutorial/photo: YouTube
The Headband Twist Updo

Perfect for dirty hair days, a headband adds color, sparkle, or whatever other diversion you need it to when concealing those day-old roots. This style looks a lot fancier and more complicated than it is.

Full tutorial/photo: YouTube
The Headscarf Roll Updo

A little bit vintage, a little bit bohemian, and totally mom-on-the-go: this takes your favorite bandanna or scarf and turns it into the chicest hair accessory in your arsenal. Who knew?

Full tutorial/photo: YouTube
The Pull-Through Updo

Holy gorgeous -- the pull-through might just be my favorite style! Practice makes perfect, but even a beginner’s take on this swoon-worthy look will stand out against a sea of messy buns at school drop-off.

Full tutorial/photo: YouTube
The Side-Braided Pony Updo

Don’t let the braid intimidate you; it’s not even a full French braid. This mini-plait pulls strands from the hairline together into a quick and easy look you can finish off with a pony or a bun depending on your mood.

Full tutorial/photo: YouTube
The Twisted Messy Bun

A sexier, edgier take on the standard messy bun -- plus, this one really holds in place thanks to all that twisting. I’m a fan of any style that keeps all my hair off my face and looks this feminine at the same time.

Full tutorial/photo: YouTube
The Wet Hair Topknot

Here’s how I knew this one was easy: it’s done on wet hair. How many styles can you actually achieve with wet hair and no product? This one starts with a simple ponytail and requires just a couple of quick maneuvers.

Full tutorial: Momtastic

Photo: The Beauty Department
The Ballerina Bun

You could be as graceful as an elephant and still rock this look day and night. Achieve the easy, Audrey-inspired bun with a few basic hair accessories that you probably have stashed away in your drawer right now: a hair stick, elastic bands, and a headband.

Full tutorial/photo: Momtastic
The Curly Updo

Got curls? Make the most of them with this charming updo that feels like it was hand-delivered to us from an old Hollywood starlet. It’s a posh alternative to the messy ‘do that so many of us are guilty of choosing.

Full tutorial/photo: Momtastic
The Voluminous Messy Bun

I lived in Texas for a little while, and I can’t lie; I miss the big hair. Any opportunity to create a little “pouf” is always a good thing, in my opinion, so I say do it up, Mama.

Full Tutorial/photo: YouTube
The Braided Updo

Make like chic mama Jessica Alba and try out this red carpet-worthy braided updo. While it may look complex, this one is actually morning-approved and fairly simple to master.

Full tutorial: Momtastic

Photo: Getty
The Short Hair Updo

Having short hair doesn’t mean you can’t rock an updo. Try this look, which is crazy easy to achieve if you know how to use dry shampoo and twist your hair into sections.

Full tutorial/photo: Momtastic
The Twisted Updo

Perfect for all hair types, this updo is so fabulous once you master the art of twisting your hair tightly. In fact, that’s all you need to do to achieve this look. It lends a polished appearance even when your hair isn’t cooperating.

Full tutorial/photo: YouTube
The Easy Everyday Updo

Wouldn’t it be great to rock a polished updo every day? This one, to me, says wedding hair… but it’s literally simple enough to make a Tuesday morning look good. You’re welcome.

Full tutorial/photo: YouTube
The Braided Topknot

Here’s a cute way to make a basic braid seem anything but simple. Despite the complex look of this topknot, it’s pretty easy to achieve. If you can braid hair, you can make this happen in about three minutes (and just four easy steps).

Full tutorial/photo: Brit + Co.
The Messy Updo

Any hairstyle that starts with a ponytail and ends with a bun sounds…well, it sounds really similar to what I do every day when I’m just chilling on the couch watching TV. So imagine the delight I felt when I discovered this model-inspired messy updo -- so easy.

Full tutorial/photo: Brit + Co.
The Tousled Updo

Go for an effortlessly sexy look with this easy style. Backcombing creates a textured finish, while a little twist transforms the low ponytail into a casual chignon.

Full tutorial/photo: Brit + Co.
The Multi-Braided Updo

Braids, braids, and more braids! To achieve this look, you’ll need to flip your head upside down and make a few braids. It’s actually one of the more enjoyable hairstyles I’ve tried -- and when it’s done right, it looks awesome.

Full tutorial/photo: Brit + Co.